MALVERN – At a public meeting at Sugartown Elementary Wednesday night, residents got their first chance to examine and voice their thoughts on the first draft of the proposed Malvern-Willistown Greenway plan.

The discussion was led by Richard Collier of the LandConcepts Group, which designed the plan after a year of research and partnership with Malvern Borough and Willistown Township. Collier defined it as “a corridor which links key places in the community, allowing users to visit these locations on foot or non-motorized vehicle”

“We hope to have a system that is negotiable, that will get people out of cars, as well as all of the good things for the environment that walking and riding a bike do,” Collier said.

The network would link open spaces, parks, neighborhoods, schools, historic sites, municipal facilities and areas of commerce throughout the borough and township. Utilizing a six-foot-wide trail in most spots, it would also connect to regional trails.

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Collier admitted that the plan has its challenges, and would be a lengthy process.

“Especially in a developed community, it’s difficult, and you have to weave your way through,” Collier said. “It ends up being segment by segment, and eventually you have a system”

While the majority of feedback was positive, some residents raised concerns.

Resident Nancy Wendell’s concern was two-fold. Her two-acre property at Grubb Road and Paoli Pike would have approximately 900 feet of trail stretch across its front border, and Wendell said she was worried it would cut into her land. The intersection is also where a proposed crossing would be.

“This is one of the most dangerous intersections in the whole township,” Wendell said. “Cars come down Paoli Pike trying to beat the light going 50 miles-per-hour.”

After saying the property impact would be minor, Collier addressed the crossing issue.

“I appreciate the fact that there’s a lot of traffic, but we’re faced with needing to cross Paoli Pike,” Collier said. “In facing that dilemma, the only recommendation we can stand behind is for pedestrians to cross at a light where a button’s pushed. It’s possible the light could be changed to make it red in both directions when the button is pushed.”

Resident Theresa Crowley’s concern was primarily financial.

“I’d be furious if I was the Wendells, and I don’t see any need for this trail,” Crowley said. “It just seems like so much money that we don’t have.”

Willistown Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman William Shoemaker assured Crowley and the other attendees that the plan has not and will not be a drain on local finances.

“There’s been no decision made to do any of this,” Shoemaker said. “This was an idea brought to the supervisors and it didn’t seem unreasonable to talk about. We certainly haven’t committed any township resources other than very minor study dollars to look at it. We’re here to listen, too.”

Collier said grants and fundraising would account for the costs, and that a grant from the PECO Green Region Open Space Program was instrumental in getting this far. Grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources could be key moving forward.

Collier said Wednesday’s meeting was meant to take in feedback and reshape the plan if necessary. LandConcepts’ study and map should be completed by the end of the year, and will be submitted to the Malvern council and Willistown board.

Resident Laura Bond was one of many who said they support the plan wholeheartedly.

“I’m an avid walker, and I would definitely love a trail system because right now I’m walking on the sidewalks through Malvern, and certain times of day, you’re taking your life in your hands crossing the street,” Bond said. “I would welcome this trail. It would be a real asset.”